The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof Chinedum Peace Babalola has won the 2020 edition of African Union Kwame Nkrumah Regional awards for Scientific Excellence.

The erudite professor received the award on Monday 10th of February during the Africa Union Summit of Heads of State and Government of Africa at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in recognition of her numerous outstanding scientific achievements and contribution through scientific research for the socio-economic development in Africa.

Prof Babalola is one Nigerian scaling hurdle, pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes.

WHO IS CHENDUM PEACE BABALOLA?

Chinedum Peace Babalola is the current Vice Chancellor of Chrisland Univeristy, Abeokuta Ogun State.

EDUCATION

Chinedum Peace Babalola (née Anyabuike) FAS, FAAS, obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) degree in 1983 from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. At the same university she received her M.sc. in 1987 and doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Pharmacokinetics option) in 1997. Between 1994 and 1995, she completed her pre-doctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia.

Chinedum became a registered pharmacist in 1984 and, in 1985, the professor started her teaching and research career in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, OAU, Ile-Ife, as a Junior Trainee Fellow. She soon rose through the ranks to become a lecturer. Shortly after, she transferred her services to the University of Ibadan in 1998 as a senior lecturer.

Babalola became a registered public analyst (MIPAN) in 2001. She was promoted to an associate professor in 2003 and a full professor in 2006.  By this promotion, she became the first female pharmacist professor at the University of Ibadan and the first female professor to give inaugural lecture from the Faculty of Pharmacy in 2011.She was also the first female head of department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry twice (2003-2005 and 2012–2013), during which periods she lifted the infrastructure and standard of the department.

Between 2013 and 2017, Babalola served two tenures as the seventh dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan. Again, she was the first female to occupy the distinguished position.

INVENTION

For over 25 years, Prof Chinedum  has focused on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), drug analysis, pharmacogenetics and bioethics as tools to study the disposition of several antimalarials and antiinfectives in Nigerians as a guide to optimizing therapy in Blacks.

She has developed novel methods for analyzing several drugs including quinine, pyronaridine, proguanil, halofantrine, lumefantrine, artemisinine and penicillin derivatives in biological fluids contributing in the elucidation of their PK/PD. Her development of a novel HPLC method for analyzing quinine (recognized by WHO) in bio-matrices is a feat, as the method resolves quinine from its optical isomer quinidine, leading to elucidation of its pharmacokinetics in Africans by her and others, thus forming the basis of dose optimization in malaria patients.

Her ongoing formulation of quinine suppositories is a novel achievement that shows potential for therapy. Her studies on drug interactions reveal that bioavailability and bacterial activity of some antibiotics are markedly reduced (>50%) when combined with some antimalarials, calling for dosage adjustment. She and co-authors reported the first pharmacogenetic study in Nigerians (healthy and sickle cell patients) with proguanil as probe drug and observed that some Nigerians are poor metabolizers and carry mutant CYP2C19 genes. She is concluding a similar study on NATs in healthy and HIV/AIDs Nigerians.

She recently won a MacArthur grant ($1 million) to set up a Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production and is a Co-Principal Investigator for NIH/Forgaty D43 grant ($1.2 million) focused on interdisciplinary training of African clinical/biomedical researchers. She has over 130 publications in reputable journals, books and conference proceedings.

According to  Chinedum Peace Babalola  Research Group, the professor is known for her groundbreaking research on novel methods for analyzing several drugs including quinine, pyronaridine, proguanil, halofantrine, lumefantrine, artemisinine and penicillin derivatives in biological fluids contributing in the elucidation of their PK/PD

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

• The First female Pharmacist Professor to be appointed a Vice Chancellor in Nigeria, 2017
• The first female Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry in University of Ibadan (UI), 2006
• The first Female Pharmacist Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, UI, 2006
• First Female Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, UI, 2003-2005; 2012-2013
• The first Female Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, UI, 2013-2017 (two terms)
• The First Female Inaugural Lecturer of the Faculty of Pharmacy, UI, 2011
• The first Female to be elected Fellow, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), in University of Ibadan, 2012
• The first Female Pharmacist to be elected Fellow African Academy of Science (FAAS), 2013
• The first Female to be elected Fellow, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (FNAPharm) in University of Ibadan, 2015
• The first Female to be elected Fellow of West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (FPCPharm) in University of Ibadan, 2014
• Named as one of 10 Most influential Nigerian women in science <http://thepinknetworkng.com/10-most-influential-nigerian-women-in-science/> in 2016
• Selected as a member of the Strategy Working Group (SWG) of the joint committee of International Council for Science (ICSU) and International Social Science Council (ISSC). She was the only Black and African out of the 11 scientists and social scientists selected world-over http://www.icsu.org/news-centre/news/top-news/members-of-strategy-working-group-and-transition-task-force-appointed-to-develop-frameworks-for-possible-icsu-issc-merger in 2016.
• Appointed as the First Coordinator of Deans Forum of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) when it was established in 2014 and has remained so till date.
• As Dean, led the design of a new Pharmacy curriculum – Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) after 18 years of using old curriculum
• As Dean, designed the First strategic plan for the Faculty
• As Dean, Inaugurated Wellness Clinic for the Faculty
• As Dean, obtained approval for a new Faculty Complex (now under construction) for the first time since inception of faculty 37 years ago. There was general overhaul of infrastructure, sanitation and beautification of the faculty
• As Dean, Obtained a Faculty Bus for the first time since inception 37 years ago
• As Dean, succeeded in establishment of a new Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology in the Faculty of Pharmacy after 34 years of asking and seeking approval from the University
• As Dean, increased students’ intake (more than double from 40 to100 per session)
• As Dean, empowered students, initiated “white Coat ceremony” and dress code for professionalism, inaugurated Student Leadership club, students’ debate club. Students improved in their outlooks, won prizes in speech, debates and oratory, students’ academic performance improved significantly
• As Dean, established Dean’s prize and Dean’s sports trophy
• The maiden prize established by University of Ibadan Women society (UIWS) for the best female UI graduate was endowed in honour of Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola by a donor, Katchey Company Limited
• Led the team (Principal Investigator) that won a MacArthur grant (approx. $1million) to set up a Centre of Excellence – centre for Drug Discovery Development and Production (CDDDP) in 2012 termed ‘First of its kind in Africa’ by Macrthur Foundation. CDDDP is set up to empower African to make and regulate their own medicines. The centre has built capacity in Nigeria and has new pharmaceutical products (up to 6) awaiting NAFDAC approval
• Served for two-terms (2005-2010) as the Director, General Studies Program (GSP), Unit (now a centre) in University of Ibadan, being the first Pharmacist to occupy that position. Supervised the erection and commissioning of a new building complex GSP Unit, completed publishing of all GSP textbooks, and acquired state-of- the art machines for automating GSP activities electronically and free from malpractice (registration, teaching, examination, results etc.) for all Regular and Distance Learning undergraduate students (approx. 30,000 students). The facilities and methods have been adopted by the University for conduct of entrance examinations (Post-UME), other internal examinations and staff recruitment.
• As HOD, brought in some innovations – obtained a departmental car as donations, overhauled  the laboratories by changing tables to marble and floor to tiles, attracted a modern chemical hood worth millions, changed
• Led the research team that studied and published first ever pharmacogenetics data on sickle cell disease patient that is relevant in managing these people
• Discovered significant drug-drug interaction between antimalarials and antibiotics relevant for drug dosage re-design and patient care.
• With respect to entrepreneurial skills, during the first Research fair held in the University of Ibadan in 2005, Exhibition of my research on quinine suppositories, won selection as one of the innovative products presented by UI to NUC exhibition at Abuja. The achievements of the Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP) in the recently held University Research and Innovative fair  (November 2016), won Faculty of Pharmacy the first position based on presentation of over 10 innovative pharmaceutical formulations such as herbal teas, hand sanitizers, antimicrobial creams, etc. as stated by assessors.
• As a University administrator, established memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local and foreign institutions (Public & Private) including Howard University, USA, University of Florida, USA, Walter Sisilu University (WSU), Kilimanjaro School of Pharmacy (KSP), Moshi, Tanzania, Roosevelt University, USA, South Africa, Reckitt-Benckiser, UK; NIPRD, Abuja, among others
• Ability to bridge the gap between gown and town through awareness and management of healthcare issues (e.g. sickle cell disease, community directed programme, consultancy services through CDDDP, product manufacture etc.)
• Attraction of benefactors/donors. Have a very long list of benefactors while serving as Head of department, Director and Dean (infrastructure, prizes, library materials etc.)
• Significant enhancement in student and staff Welfare including research activities, scholarship, fellowships, promotion, staff development etc. e.g. Professors rose from 8 to 13 during my tenure as Dean.
• Introduction and promotion of active-based learning by staff and students in faculty of Pharmacy, UI and other places
• Mentorship: Has mentored, supervised and empowered several students and young researchers at various levels
• Attraction of international students currently studying at Chrisland University.

HONOURS AND AWARDS

Prof Chinedum is a receiver of several awards. The award of Advanced Industrial Pharmacy Training (IPAT) was jointly issued to her from Kilimanjaro School of Pharmacy, Tanzania and Purdue  University, USA.

Since she became a professor, she has supervised hundreds of undergraduate students and over 30 postgraduate students (PGD, MSC, M. Phil &PhD). She had published over 120 scholarly articles in reputable academic journal as well as books, books chapter, conference abstracts and monograph.